Guwahati: The Assam Cabinet has approved significant benefits related to career advancement for Grade-IV employees in government schools, with eligible individuals now considered for promotion to Grade-III posts. This decision was made during the first Cabinet meeting after its expansion, held on Friday, June 5, 2026, in Guwahati.

The move is set to establish a structured career progression pathway for non-teaching staff in the state’s education sector, addressing a long-standing demand for clearer opportunities for professional growth. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma indicated that this policy aims to boost employee morale and streamline administrative efficiency within government schools.

What was announced

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the Cabinet’s decision following a meeting in Guwahati on June 5, 2026. The Assam Council of Ministers, which had recently undergone an expansion, deliberated on several key resolutions concerning government employees, development projects, and welfare schemes.

Among the crucial decisions, the Cabinet approved a new policy framework that will enable Grade-IV employees working in government schools to receive benefits related to career advancement. Furthermore, eligible Grade-IV employees will now be considered for promotion to Grade-III positions.

Chief Minister Sarma clarified that while provisions for promoting Grade-IV employees to Grade-III posts already existed, the government had not previously established comprehensive rules and procedures to effectively implement the process. The Cabinet has now approved the necessary regulations to operationalise this promotion mechanism, he said.

Why it matters

This policy change is significant as it provides a formal and transparent pathway for career progression for a large number of Grade-IV school employees across Assam. These employees, who often perform essential support roles such as peons, chowkidars, malis, and office attendants, have long sought opportunities for advancement within the Education Department.

The newly approved framework is expected to remove administrative ambiguities that previously delayed promotions, ensuring that deserving employees have a fair chance to advance. This initiative is also anticipated to boost morale among school support staff, many of whom have served for years without a clearly defined route to higher positions.

Officials believe that filling certain Grade-III vacancies through internal promotions with experienced personnel already familiar with school operations will strengthen the education administration. Grade-III positions typically include roles such as junior assistants and clerical staff, which require a different skill set than Grade-IV roles.

Background

The Assam government has consistently focused on education sector reforms, encompassing infrastructure development, teacher recruitment, governance reforms, and human resource management. The issue of career progression for Grade-IV employees has been a recurring demand. For instance, in November 2024, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that new policies for appointing teachers and Grade-IV employees would be implemented by 2026, prioritising local employment.

Historically, the roles of Grade-IV staff, often redesignated as Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) in May 2023, involve crucial non-clerical and support duties, including maintenance of records, general cleanliness, carrying files, and assisting in routine office work. These positions are vital for the smooth functioning of government offices, including schools.

Previous service rules, such as the Assam Secondary Education (Govt. Schools) Service Rules, 2020, did not explicitly provide for the promotion of Grade-IV employees to certain Grade-III posts like Junior Assistant, leading to legal challenges and calls for reform. This new Cabinet decision aims to formalise and regularise such promotion avenues.

The Cabinet meeting on June 5, 2026, was the first after the expansion of the Assam Council of Ministers, which took place on the same day. Chief Minister Sarma had announced the cabinet expansion on May 31, 2026, following the NDA’s victory in the 2026 Assembly elections.

Key details

The approved policy framework will define specific eligibility requirements, promotion procedures, and other service-related conditions that Grade-IV employees must meet to qualify for advancement to Grade-III posts. This structured approach is intended to ensure transparency and uniformity in the promotion process across all government schools in the state.

While the exact number of employees who will immediately benefit from this decision was not specified, officials anticipate a significant positive impact on a large segment of the non-teaching workforce. The government’s commitment to employee welfare and institutional reform underpins this initiative.

In November 2025, the Assam Cabinet had also approved an annual six percent salary hike for Grade-III and Grade-IV employees of provincialised institutions, further demonstrating the government’s focus on improving service conditions for these employee categories.

What’s next

Following the Cabinet’s approval, the Education Department is expected to formalise and implement the detailed rules and procedures for career advancement and promotions. Chief Minister Sarma stated that the newly framed rules would ensure promotions are carried out systematically and transparently. Employees and stakeholders will closely watch for the release of these detailed guidelines, which will outline the practical aspects of eligibility and the application process.

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